Carol Taylor Named 2015 Emporia Master Teacher

Carol Taylor has been selected as the Emporia Master Teacher for 2015. The award was presented before school today by Signe Truelove, the 2014 Emporia Master Teacher, during a faculty meeting at the high school.

Taylor has taught at Emporia High School since 2008 as an instructional coach, reading strategist and AVID teacher. She worked with children and adolescents as a counselor before returning to college to pursue an education career. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Emporia State University, a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Towson State University in Baltimore, and an elementary education certification from ESU.

“My experience in both psychology and education leads me to believe that students need every opportunity to understand what the world has to offer them, and with a good education, what they can offer in return,” Taylor said. “No longer will they just survive, but thrive and be productive well-adjusted citizens in our society.”

Taylor taught at William Allen White Elementary, Lowther North Intermediate and Olpe Elementary schools from 1996 – 2008. She moved to EHS as an instructional coach in 2008 and currently is a reading strategist and a teacher in the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination ) program. AVID is a college-preparation program for students traditionally under-represented in higher education.

“I became an AVID teacher last year. My students are now sophomores and together we are working diligently to prepare them for college and be to be successful once there,” she said

Taylor received a Star Performer Award from the Hopkins Foundation in 2004 and she serves on the Building Instructional Team at EHS. She also is a member of the AVID Site Team and trains other secondary teachers on the use of AVID teaching strategies in the curriculum.

“As an educator, I must be willing to continuously redefine myself to keep up with change. For me, that has meant embracing new initiatives such as Literacy First and AVID WICOR strategies, and allowing myself to take risks and teach a variety of grades from first through high school,” Taylor said.

The Emporia Master Teacher Award is presented each year by the Emporia NEA, and the honoree becomes the Emporia nominee for the Kansas Master Teacher Award. Established in 1953, the awards are presented annually to teachers who have served the profession well and who typify the good qualities of earnest and conscientious teachers. Candidates for the awards are typically nominated by local teacher associations and school faculties. Selection of seven award recipients is made by a committee in the spring.

Emporia USD 253 does not discriminate on the basis or race,color, national origin,
sex, religion, handicap/disability or age. Persons having inquiries may contact the
school district's coordinator at the address listed above.